“Wait for it. He’ll tug his right ear every time I make eye contact.”
Sure enough, he reaches up and gives his ear a pull when Dr. Hunt looks up.
“We came up with that trick years ago to save each other. He’s not much for these types of events. I imagine he’s had all he can take.” Her smile softens. “Great to see you both.”
We watch her cross the room. Adam chuckles when the man lifts his hand to the guys, clearly indicating his departure. “That’s awesome. If I tug my ear, can we get the hell out of here?”
“Afraid not.”
He scrunches up his face. “No fair.”
“Come on, who’s next?”
“Dr. Salco just walked in. She’s the head of the committee.”
“Great. Lead the way.”
Dr. Salco is a woman in her mid to late fifties, by my best guess. Her brown hair is stick straight and falls just below her chin. Her features are sort of pinched and not exactly welcoming, but she does smile as Adam and I step in front of her.
“You made it. Very good.” Her gaze moves from Adam to me.
I smile big, ready to win this woman over.
“Dr. Salco, this is Reagan, my f—” He stops, catching himself before saying friend. There’s an awkward beat of silence while he fumbles to correct himself.
“Fiancée.” The lie slips from my lips so smoothly. I step closer and rest my head on Adam’s shoulder, just like I’ve thought about doing so many times. In these heels, I’m just the right height to do it.
Adam makes a strangled sound and then turns his body away while he composes himself. He tries to cover his reaction by taking a drink.
I smile sweetly at Dr. Salco.
“Fiancée?” She looks from Adam back to me, eyes widening. “I didn’t realize you were engaged, Adam. Congratulations.”
He swallows, then starts coughing. Oh dear god, I may have killed him. Miraculously, he clears his throat and then his arm slides around my waist. He opens his mouth like he might want to speak, but then just nods.
My confident fiancé looks like he’s about to break a sweat. Maybe I’ve gone too far, but since I’ve jumped over the cliff, I do it with flair.
“It’s recent, but I’ve been in love with this man for years. The first time I saw him, I just knew.”
Dr. Salco is hanging on my every word, so I keep going, telling her how I crushed on Adam from afar. I do love a captivated audience. Part reality with a dash of drama. The script is juicy, and my costar is the most handsome leading man, if not a bit shy on stage.
We’ve swapped personalities, it seems. He’s stopped coughing though, so that’s a plus.
And as Dr. Salco and I talk, more people gather around. That’s the thing about a good performance: it tends to draw a crowd.
“That is quite a story,” Dr. Salco says. She’s not much of a smiler, but her eyes are kind and I think I’ve sold her.
Taking a sip of my drink, I finally stop talking and lean into Adam. It’s easy to look like you’re in love when you basically are.
“It really is,” someone says.
I search the crowd to find the source. The tone of this new person says she doesn’t believe me. When I find my hater, I suck in a breath. “Janine? What are you doing here?”
She smiles and looks like she might want to step forward and hug me, but she doesn’t, thank goodness. I might be holding Adam up. He’s stunned silent beside me.
Janine’s boyfriend, Sean, waves. “Long time no see, Reagan.”
“You three know each other?” Adam asks, finally finding his voice. His gaze darts between us.
I’m thrown, grappling for my next line. Maybe I should tug my ear.
“We all went to high school together,” Janine says.
I think Adam curses under his breath, but it’s so quiet I can’t make out the words. Probably, fuck my life, why did I bring this crazy person as my date?
“I’ll leave you all to catch up,” Dr. Salco says. “Nice to meet you, Reagan. Sean, glad to see you again. Adam, Janine, enjoy tonight and make sure you do the rounds to meet everyone. They’re all very eager to get to know the both of you.”
It’s just the four of us, and those nerves from earlier are back. Fuck, did I just screw this up for Adam?
“You’re his competition?” I ask Janine. “I should have known.” She always said she was going to be a doctor. No, not just a doctor—the best there was in whatever field she decided on. The last I knew, she was leaning toward pediatrics, but that was years ago. Another lifetime, it feels like.
“Well, you would have if you’d kept in touch over the years.”
Ouch. But also, truth.
“So, you two are together now?” Janine points a finger between me and Adam.
I let him take this one. I have no idea whether or not to keep selling it or back off.
“Uhh, yup.” He stares at his feet.
“We’re engaged,” I say when it’s clear Adam’s not going to offer more.
“Engaged?” Her brows raise. “Only you could go from single to engaged in a week.”
“Not exactly a week. Reagan and I have known each other for years. The relationship moved quickly, yes, but we’ve always had an…” He clears his throat again, and his voice gets higher. “Attraction.”
He wipes his forehead. Is he sweating? Oh my god. My face heats with embarrassment for him. He’s so out of his comfort zone and I did this to him. Also, he’s a terrible actor. I guess he does have a flaw.
“Well, congrats. I’m happy for you two.” She takes a step away and then turns back. “Does Lori know?”
“Who knows what Lori knows.” I look away from her scrutinizing gaze.
“You should reach out. She’s doing better.” She takes Sean’s hand. “Come on. I need to make the rounds. Bye, Reagan.”
Adam rakes a hand through his hair and lets out a long breath that puffs out his cheeks.
“I’m so sorry. I got a little into the part.” I wilt beside him and hang my head in shame. What an abysmal performance.
He chuckles, but the sound is too tight and brittle. He’s trying to be a good sport but seriously freaking out. “Don’t be. I never should have put you in this situation. This is my fault.” He stands a little taller and takes another deep breath. His free hand finds mine and holds it loosely. “Well, we’re committed now.”
“I’m so sorry,” I say again.
“At least we’re in it together, I guess. Ready to get this over with?” He drops my hand but then places his arm around my back. I’m sure he’s just trying to keep up with my wild story and doesn’t really want to be holding me so intimately, but I lean into him, soaking up his touch.
“Ready.”
He’s definitely never asking me out on a real date after this shit show, might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
7
Adam
Reagan smiles over at me as she talks to a group of my professors. She leans closer, like she’s done a dozen times tonight and I hold my breath waiting for… yep, there it is. Boob alert. Reagan’s boob is touching my arm.